As you've probably noticed, I'm on a bit of a consumption jag, devouring books and movies and music at a frenetic pace, then flinging out recommendations in lieu of blog entries. (Although, to whatever extent this blog is about what is going on with me, this about sums it up unless you want to hear about the new pillowcases I got at a discount outlet last time I went to Maine...)
I go through this stage about once a year, usually in February when everything is gray and dingy and dead from winter, and those same words describe the inside of my heart and mind. Not depressed, not discouraged; there's no need to fear (much) for my overall mental health. But I've been feeling rather dead, needing something new to revive me. This is typically when I long to move to New York City, where stuff is happening, stuff that might wake me up and give me something to write about again. Instead, I've been finding it in the four hundred word sentences of a famed octogenarian writer, a pudgy nine year old dancing to music selected by her unorthodox grandfather, and - today- the songs from a couple of singers I'd never heard before in quite this way. I listened to them, and I wrote. Real stuff, not the wow, she's trying way too hard pithy drivel I churned out last week.
So if you're looking for inspiration, here are today's suggestions:
For funky, ecclectic music talking about faith and life: Ayiesha Woods. She's like India Arie meets Tracey Chapman meets Queen Latifah. Her song Happy made me happy...what more can I ask for?
If you're feeling introspective, and want to think and feel and see the world with big new eyes, Cindy Morgan's new CD, Postcards is brilliant. An hour with this CD this morning, and I'm a better human being.
So there you have it. Now I'm off to the video store to get the new DVD by the Dixie Chicks, to see their creative process from the inside and to try to dislike Natalie Maines a little less. I'm not sure why, but it feels important for me to see her as more than one of those girls who would round everyone up to hate me in the first grade because I wore a funny shirt or sat at the wrong place at lunch. I'll let you know how it goes!
9 comments:
Aw, don't be too hard on yourself; February is always a tough month. And I like recommendations!
February is suuuuuucky! I was just on the phone with my friend--the one who came out with us!--and I was like, "OK. The good news is, it's almost March."
And Natalie Maines was soooo that girl. What a great description.
"This is typically when I long to move to New York City, where stuff is happening, stuff that might wake me up and give me something to write about again."
Yep. Let me know when you get your New York City place and I'll come and visit you. February is just AWFUL.
Tis me! Your Pollyannic friend that you'll want to punch in the neck after this "uplifting" retort.
Let me remind you of the good that has happened in February. And, miss Boston, let me start with this one:
- 02/06/1788 - Massachusetts entered the Union
Then I'll pick some of the cooler ones to follow that:
- 02/01/1838 - Underground Railroad established
- 02/01/1861 - Texas seceded from the Union (haha)
- 02/02/1876 - National League of Professional Baseball Clubs forms in NY
- 02/02/1892 - patent for the "Bottle Cap" received
- 02/04/1782 - George Washinton appointed Pres of the Constitutional Convention
- 02/05/1819 - 1st double-feature theatrical perfomance
- 02/06/1970 - The Beatles US album 'Hey Jude' released
- 02/07/1910 - Boy Scouts of America incorporated (but they don't sell cookies!)
- 02/07/1964 - The Beatles 1st US visit starts in NY
- 02/12/1809 - Abraham Lincoln born
- 02/15/1820 - Susan B Anthony born in Adams, MA!
- 02/16/1968 - nations 1st 911 system went into effect
- 02/19/1878 - Thomas Edison received patent for the phonograph
- 02/20/1792 - Pres G. Washington signed act creating US Post Office
- 02/20/1962 - John Glenn became first American to orbit earth
- 02/22/1732 - George Washington born
- 02/24/1945 - US soldiers liberated Manila from Japan (my grandparents were there)
- 02/26/1802 - for you writers, Victor Hugo born
- 02/27/1807 - again for you poets, Longfellow was born (in Portland, Maine, no less!)
- 02/27/1922 - US Supreme Court uphel 19th Amendment which guarantees the RIGHT OF WOMEN TO VOTE!!!
- 02/29/1968 - first Grammy Awards
So there. February ain't all THAT bad! (wink)
I feel like all of my comments here start with ha, but you make me laugh, even when you are having an icky month. You perfectly described how I feel about Natalie, I also feel like it's important to like her for some reason, but I'm afraid of her retaliation
Great recommendations! That 'Happy' song made me happy too!
Winter is the worst. I'd love to hear about your pillowcases.
February sucks. That's why it's the shortest month of the year.
Don't be too hard on yourself!
If you can't get past Natalie's personality, you will love Emily and Marti for sure.
I can't wait to get my hands on that DVD.
The Chicks RULE!
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